Q: What is it?
A: Psoriasis is a common, inflammatory disease of the skin.
Q: What causes it?
A: Its cause is unknown, but it is genetically determined. It is often familial, but does not appear to be inherited in any regular dominant, sex-linked or recessive way. The disease has been found to be of greater frequency in men than in women. It is less common in African and Asian groups.
We know that a malfunction of the immune system causes the T-cells in your body to produce skin cells much faster than is normal. These skin cells get pushed to the surface in a matter of days (rather than about 4 weeks). These skin cells build up on the outer layer of skin and that is the flaky rash like effect you see.
What we don’t know is what caused this immune system malfunction in the first place. It seems that it is triggered by outside influences which can vary from sufferer to sufferer. Common triggers are:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Dietary factors
- Lack of vitamin D from sunlight (psoriasis usually worsens in the winter)
- Alcoholism
Q:What are the symptoms?
A: Well-defined red scaling patches on the extensor surface of the body, especially the knees, elbows and the scalp, characterize this disease. Each patch has a well-demarcated margin and is raised above the skin surface.
The affected skin is a variable shade of red and the surface is often thrown up into large silvery scales. The nails may also show various changes like “thimble-pitting”, separation or deformities of the nail plate, brownish-black discoloration etc.
Psoriasis is a life long disorder that is subjected to unpredictable remissions and relapses.
Q: Is Psoriasis Contagious?
A: Finding out that you or someone you love has this incurable skin disease is traumatic enough, but will it spread to others?
No, psoriasis is NOT contagious!
You cannot pass this disease on to other people through any amount of contact, and if you have psoriasis yourself – no-one gave it to you. Psoriasis just happens, and can happen to anyone at any time in their life.
Q: Can homoeopathy help?
A: The following drugs are important aids in the treatment of psoriasis:
Lycopodium:
It is suited to persons who are mentally keen, but of weak muscular power. They are apprehensive and afraid to be alone. They are extremely sensitive and little things annoy them. Typically, the patient appears emaciated (he is thin and withered), and full of gas. The right side of the body is peculiarly affected and all the complaints seem to increase in the evening, especially between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Skin diseases are often associated with urinary, gastric or liver disorders. The skin becomes thick and indurated. There is violent itching and the skin may show cracks and fissures. It is dry and shrunken. The abdomen is bloated (especially the lower part), and feels full immediately after a meal. There is dyspepsia due to fermentable food like cabbages, peas and beans. They like to eat sweet things and enjoy warm food and drinks.
Arsenicum iodatum:
The skin is dry and itches. There is a scaling of the skin, and large scales fall off leaving a raw surface with an exudation. Sometimes the beard region is affected which itches and causes an oozing of a watery fluid.
Kali arsenicosum:
There is an intolerable itching of the skin which is worse from warmth, walking and especially undressing. The skin is dry and scaly; it appears wilted. There are fissures in the bends of the elbows and the knees. The patient is generally nervous, restless and anemic and worse from every change in the weather.
Kali sulphuricum
A Biochemic remedy which is useful for the scaling of the skin as seen in Psoriasis. All ailments are accompanied by excessive desquamation. The scales are large and yellow in color.
Natrum muriaticum
Useful in patients with a greasy skin. There are dry and crusty eruptions, especially on the margin of the hair and the bends of joints. The skin appears raw, red and inflamed. The psoriasis may follow grief, disappointment, anger or fright. The person is depressed and does not take kindly to consolation and sympathy.
He may be prone to attacks of migraine, usually affecting the left side of the head. The symptoms are made worse from warmth, mental exertion, 10 a.m., and relieved in the open air and from bathing with cold water. Exposure to the sun also aggravates the skin complaints.